Norton vs. ESET 2024: Norton Edges Out ESET

ESET is a good product with proven third-party test scores, but Norton offers a cybersecurity suite for less. Which one is the antivirus for you?

Patti Croft, Author

Steph Trejos, Editor

Last updated Feb 23, 2024

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5.0

Editorial Rating

On Norton 360 Antivirus's website

Antivirus Software

Norton 360 Antivirus

Save up to 58% your first year

4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
Available for up to 10 devices depending on plan
Multi-tab navigation may be overwhelming at first

4.5

Editorial Rating

On ESET's website

ESET

15% off on 2-year protection

Lots of useful features
Offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required
Lackluster customer service options

You may prefer Norton if you want a proven antivirus solution with plenty of features, like a virtual private network (VPN) and parental controls. It also has a plan to fit most budgets.

If you’re seeking top-notch antivirus protection, then ESET Home Security is a good option because it uses advanced machine learning to combat emerging threats. Yet, the price can be expensive depending on how many devices you wish to cover.

We’ll dive into Norton vs. ESET to help you choose the best antivirus protection.

In this article

Norton vs. ESET review at a glance
Norton vs. ESET: prices
Norton vs. ESET: features
Norton vs. ESET: test results
Norton vs. ESET: compatibility and customer support
Norton vs. ESET FAQs
Norton vs. ESET: which is better?

Norton vs. ESET review at a glance

ESET provides advanced protection, including machine learning and cloud-powered scanning, multi-layered security technology, and a cloud reputation system, so you can stay informed on the latest cyberthreats and block them. The only catch is that it can get pretty expensive depending on the number of devices you need covered.

Norton has plenty of plans to choose from, depending on your budget and cybersecurity needs. You can choose plans with just basic antivirus, or opt for suites with extra features like a VPN, dark web monitoring and even LifeLock identity theft protection.

Norton: Best for a security suite
ESET: Best for advanced security

Norton vs. ESET compared

	Norton	ESET
Starting price	$29.99/first yr	$59.99/first yr
Free version
Max number of protected devices	10	10
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Android
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get ESET Read ESET Review

Norton vs. ESET: prices

	Our Pick
Price range	$29.99–$99.48/first yr	$49.99–$179.99/first yr
Best value plan	Norton 360 Deluxe for $49.99/first yr	ESET Premium Security for $59.99/first yr
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 60 days	Yes — 30 days
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get ESET Read ESET Review

Norton has some affordable plans starting at $29.99/first yr, which covers one device. The most you’ll pay is $54.99/first yr if you need 10 devices. That’s much cheaper than ESET, which will cost $179.99/first yr if you need to protect 10 devices.

Norton’s website lists that its best value plan is Norton 360 Deluxe. It costs $49.99/first yr, allows for three devices, and you’ll get additional features like 50 GB of cloud backup, parental controls, and Norton Secure VPN. If you like ESET, we recommend ESET Premium Security $69.99/first yr, which includes a password manager and also encrypts sensitive data and photos.

Norton provides a generous 60-day money-back guarantee, so you have lots of time to test the product. On the other hand, ESET gives you a 30-day free trial, which you can combine with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Winner: Norton offers lots of features at a better price.

Norton vs. ESET: features

	Norton Our Pick	ESET
Manual and scheduled scans
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Firewall
Parental controls
Password manager
VPN
Ad blocker
Device optimization tools
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get ESET Read ESET Review

Norton and ESET provide similar security features. Although neither offers an ad blocker, both have the essential antivirus features so you can scan your devices, protect them from phishing and ransomware, and use the firewall to monitor your traffic. Both providers also offer features like webcam protection and parental controls to keep you and your family safe online.

ESET Antivirus security tools for parental controls and anti-theft. — Parental controls and anti-theft protection

To get the most that ESET has to offer, you’d need to opt for ESET Ultimate Security, which costs $179.99/first yr. For that price, you’ll enjoy features like Metadata Cleanup, a VPN with unlimited bandwidth, identity theft protection, and more. Norton includes the password manager, identity theft protection, and its Secure VPN for $99.99/first yr, which is about half the price of ESET’s plan.

If you don’t already have a VPN, you’ll definitely benefit from an antivirus subscription that includes a VPN. A VPN adds more protection for your device by creating a secure and private internet connection.

Winner: Although this is close, we think Norton is the winner. You get the same features for a much cheaper price.

Norton vs. ESET: test results

Reviewing data on how antivirus programs perform is crucial for determining how well they function. To do that, we not only test products ourselves, but we also rely on third-party tests for malware prevention and detection.

For this comparison, we used test results from AV-Comparatives. It’s an independent organization that tests numerous security products, including antivirus software. When testing, AV-Comparatives uses large samples to get a true picture of how an antivirus program performs compared to others.

Norton vs. ESET AV-Comparatives scores

		Our Pick
Real-world protection test	2/3	1/3
Performance test	3/3	3/3
Malware protection test	2/3	3/3
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get ESET Read ESET Review

Norton scores are from July-Oct 2023.

ESET scores are from July-Oct 2023.

Norton and ESET received the same number of points from AV-Comparatives, but not in the same areas. For instance, ESET received a perfect score for malware protection, but only 1 out of 3 stars for real-world protection. The real-world testing is done by simulation, testing numerous URLs to see how the antivirus will protect your device.

Norton received a perfect score for performance, which tests features like real-time protection. It scored less for real-world protection and malware protection. Norton did block 99.8% of all malware for the testing period, though.

Neither of these products has bad scores, and we think the tests prove that they’re both reliable antivirus programs.

AV-Comparatives also tested for false positives. ESET had only one false positive. Only TotalAV performed better. On the other hand, Norton was listed as having 12 false positives, which placed it on the lower end of the tested products.

Winner: Norton and ESET had equal points but ESET wins based on the false positives test.

Norton vs. ESET: compatibility and customer support

	Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Chat, phone, support forums, online guides, Facebook, Twitter	Chat, email, support forums, online guides
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get ESET Read ESET Review

ESET was easy to install, and the entire download and setup took only around 30 minutes. The scans were quick to run, and the antivirus alerted us if we had files that needed to be cleaned.

We did run into one small annoyance as we tested the different features: We received yellow notifications to remind us that we weren’t finished setting up the firewall and anti-theft options. We get why the product is set up to send users reminders, but maybe once would do. That aside, the interface was easy to use, and we had no issues with the antivirus program navigation.

Norton worked seamlessly and quickly. The interface is simple to use, even with all the features it offers. The options were all easy to access, and we didn’t feel users would be overwhelmed or frustrated by any of them. We kept numerous browsers open to see if we noticed any lag times with the antivirus running, but that was not the case. There were no system interruptions along the way.

Norton has more extensive compatibility, as it is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems. ESET antivirus isn’t compatible with iOS, so that could be a dealbreaker for some.

We think Norton has better customer service options than ESET, considering it offers phone as well as social media support. We also love that Norton offers 24/7 support. ESET specialists are available Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST, so you won’t be able to reach out in the evening or on weekends.

Winner: Norton wins by a small margin. Both of the antivirus programs have interfaces that are simple to use, but you can’t beat Norton’s customer service focus. With so many options, you’re bound to find a way to get assistance when you need it most.

Norton vs. ESET FAQs

What antivirus is better than Norton?

When reporting that an antivirus is better than another, it’s always subjective to the user. Some strong alternatives to Norton include:

TotalAV
McAfee
Bitdefender
AVG
Avast

You can view our list of the best antivirus software if you wish to learn more about these options.

Is ESET Home Security trustworthy?

Based on AV-Comparatives test results from July to October 2023, we’re confident that ESET is a trustworthy antivirus.

What are Norton Antivirus’ disadvantages?

The only disadvantage to Norton Antivirus is that it doesn’t offer as many features for Apple users. If you want Norton Parental Control, for example, you won’t have that option for macOS.

What are ESET’s benefits?

ESET has many benefits, including its use of advanced machine learning and ransomware protection. You also get performance optimization tools with any plan.

Norton vs. ESET: which is better?

When comparing Norton vs. ESET, we think Norton is better. You get lots of features for a cheaper price point. Who doesn’t like a good bargain, especially when it’s backed by a name like Norton, which has been in the antivirus game for years?

ESET Home Security is a good antivirus program, and it comes with plenty of extras to enhance your security protection. The third-party tests show that ESET is great for malware prevention, so you can have confidence in the product when you buy it. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 30-day free trial, so you can test it before you commit to a purchase.

All things considered, Norton provides plenty of features for a fair price. If you want a cybersecurity suite and don’t want to reach deep into your pockets, Norton may be the perfect antivirus software for you.

Norton vs. ESET alternatives

We know that when we compare antivirus products, there may be times when neither one rocks your world. With so many security options, we also know that isn’t a problem. That’s why we’ve included some alternatives that might scratch that antivirus itch better than Norton or ESET:

TotalAV: TotalAV gives you a high level of security protection with a user-friendly interface.
Get TotalAV | Read Our TotalAV Review
Avast: Avast offers a free version and paid plans that can cover up to 30 devices, along with identity monitoring, credit reports, and more.
Get Avast | Read Our Avast Review
Bitdefender: Bitdefender is well suited for Windows and Android users who want reliable software with some premium options.
Get Bitdefender | Read Our Bitdefender Review

Enjoy Norton’s 100% Virus Protection Promise

5.0

Editorial Rating

On Norton 360 Antivirus's website

Antivirus Software

Norton 360 Antivirus

Save up to 58% your first year

4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
Available for up to 10 devices depending on plan
Multi-tab navigation may be overwhelming at first

Author Details

Patti Croft

About the Author

Patti Croft is a seasoned writer specializing in technology, with three years of experience. With a B.S. in Computer Science and a background as a technical analyst and security specialist, she covers a range of topics like data security and parental control software.